As many of you may know our 4th of July weekend was a little more eventful than we would have asked for. Nick and I were involved in a car accident around 5pm on Friday the fourth and have been dealing with the consequences ever since. I can imagine that people have been missing Nick’s writing and I do wish that he was telling this story, however he hasn’t been out of bed a whole lot since the accident.
Nick suffered a fracture of the C7 vertebrae and quite a few lacerations on the right side of his face from the passenger window shattering. I am certainly sore and my skin is many pretty colors, but no major injuries. We both were very fortunate in being saved by our seat belts and airbags. Nick was wearing a chin rest while we traveled and along with being in his wheelchair we think the combo made the result much less horrible. We both continue to go through many emotions; a lot of them having to do with anger and sadness that this happened at all, but just being together only reminds us how grateful we are to have walked/rolled away.
We were at Nick’s 10 year high school reunion on Friday and although we wished we could have stayed the full day, Nick was getting a little tired and we planned on heading home. Just entering into Iowa from South Dakota we passed through a little town called Akron and continued to head east on Hwy 3. On one of the intersecting county roads a suburban heading north failed to stop, or even slow for that matter, at their stop sign. They entered the intersection at the time that we were heading through it and we hit them going around 55 mph. Not remembering anything else really about the accident other than where we landed, I continue to replay the episode in my head, missing pieces and all. The man driving the other vehicle had some alcohol on board, however it will be at least 40 days before the blood work comes back in order to charge him with anything in relation to the accident. We are still finding out details in regards to insurance and if or what his injuries were.
Nick and I were taken by ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Sioux City and he remained an inpatient there until Monday around 3pm. We then transfered him to the hospital in Storm Lake where he has gradually made improvements each day. He is in a cervical/thoracic collar that has been the biggest pain in our sides, but is most likely his best option to regaining his previous, or close to, health status. Surgery can sometimes be a fix for these types of fractures, but isn’t always the first option when a more non-invasive one can work. This is especially true when the fracture is displaced which we don’t believe Nick’s is. I am hoping that this means he will have an easier time healing. Having ALS certainly complicates things, but besides surgery a halo set-up is the only other option. He will most likely be in this collar for 6-8 weeks, but perhaps up to 12. Time will tell.
We are grateful to be closer to home and I really have to admit the familiarity of this hospital has made things a little less stressful. I have yet to get to the house, but mine and Nick’s mom have certainly brought the important supplies to keep us clothed, fed and entertained at the hospital. I am certainly missing that pup of ours and if Nick’s days continue to improve I can perhaps step out for a couple of hours. He is talking more and more for short periods of time, but there are still very few to understand him fully. I think it will come. The doctor did understand yesterday morning when he stopped in and exclaimed to Nick about the accident. Nick’s response was “I needed a challenge”. Thats my guy!
Today’s biggest accomplishments were seeing him smile and make a few jokes, getting up to the recliner for 10 minutes with the assistance of me and two physical therapists and finding out that Robitussin of all things keeps his secretions from getting the best of him. He is currently sleeping peacefully beside me and we are hoping for a good night sleep with few interruptions. We are BOTH in need of that more than anything.
We aren’t sure what the next couple of weeks will hold. I am sure plenty of therapy, tv and repositioning, but I hope to keep you up to date now that I am online again. Thank you to all those that have kept us in their thoughts and prayers. Stay tuned.
at 9:43 pm
Ann – Thanks much for the update. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Nick. Also, I think he would be very proud of your headline!:)
at 11:29 pm
Take care – both of you. How awful. Glad to hear that Nick’s coming around, and you’re on the mend Ann. Wishing nothing but the best from here.
at 5:38 am
… and you say Nick’s the only writer in the family … this is a wonderful heartfelt post about a subject that you could so so so easily rant about
Karna
at 6:20 am
God’s blessings to you both! We will keep you both in our prayers. Press on!
at 7:00 am
Wow – I’ll be keeping you guys in my thoughts. I’m glad that you’re both OK for the most part.
at 7:20 am
Wow… just wow. You guys are in our thoughts and prayers.
at 9:49 am
Of all people, you two certainly did not need another lesson that bad things occasionally can happen to good people. Very sorry to hear of this scary incident… our thoughts and prayers most definitely are with you both.
at 10:45 am
Ann – thanks for the post. I have been wondering how you two were doing. I spoke with my aunt, Nick’s mom, when he was in the hospital and have not had a chance to call for any updates since. You are both very strong and will pull through this.
at 10:51 am
Ann, thank you for the up-date and please know I pray for continued improvement for both you and Nick. That had to have been such a traumatic experience and the last thing you needed on your plate. We think of you often and wish you the very best.
Gene & Fran
at 11:36 am
Ann,
Thank you SO much for updating on the situation. I’ve been thinking about you guys ever since that day when we found out and have been checking the blog regularly. It just sickens me to think about the fact that this even happened. It was so great to see you both on Friday but so sorry that this was the result of your trip back. I will look forward to more updates. Love to you both!
at 11:54 am
I am just sick to my stomach reading this. What an idiot driver and not something you guys needed to deal with. Brian and I will certainly keep you in our thoughts and prayers. We love you guys and know Nick will be up to the challenge.
at 12:07 pm
Thanks for the update – we were shocked when we found out about the accident. What a terrible series of events, but I’m glad to hear that you’re both in relatively good spirits. It was great to see you both at the reunion – we were so glad that you could attend, just wish the night would have ended differently for you….
God’s blessings to you both.
at 2:08 pm
Very sorry to hear about the accident. I am thankful that both you and Nick are healing. Like all the others have said the both of you will be in my thoughts and prayers. The story of Nick starting to crack jokes is a very good sign. Continue to keep us posted on the recovery.
at 2:37 pm
Ann, you and Nick ROCK! Love you!!
at 8:50 pm
Hey guys – we know that you’ll pull through this. A minor bump in the road right Ann? Give our best to Nick and know that we think about you both and pray for you every night with Makayla
We love you guys!
at 9:05 am
hi guys, hope each day continues to be a little better, will keep both of you in my thoughts and prayers, Barb Clark-Duhn
at 1:23 pm
Thank you, Ann, for keeping everyone well informed of what happened and is happening with you both. You are in my thoughts and prayers, and the community of Trinity Lutheran, Cowan will be praying for you both as well. If there is something that needs doing, let me volunteer my folks (712-434-5811) until the beginning of August. After that I’ll be in town and happy to help wherever I can. God bless you both and, again, thank you for writing.
at 5:05 pm
I am so sorry to hear about your accident. I hope that you are both hanging in there – my good thoughts and prayers are with you. Please post or e-mail if you need anything (and that includes legal issues).
at 7:43 pm
Hi to both of you. We were so sorry to hear about the accident; not exactly the 4th you had planned, I’m sure. We hope that the healing process continues.
We appreciate Nick’s mom keeping us up to date. I didn’t know about your website until she let us know. We will follow your progress now.
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you all.